Smyrna times., 1887-02-02
ALBERT CowGILL
For the Smyrna Times.
Our Dover Letter.
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
hArrr,n hr.r IL


DOVER, DEL, February !, 1887.
AT last the Legislature has begun to
legislate. As said in my last letter
something would be done in the way of
Constitutional Reform, so it was that
to-day week a bill proposing amend
ments to the State Constitution was
introduced by Senator Ferguson.
OF Appoquinimink. The substance of
the bill was to give the people increased
representation in the Legislature
Nothing was done with the bill up till
Thursday, when Senator Houston. of
sussex, introduced a bill favorinu the
reforming of the Constitution bv CON
YentiOn-abOut the same as that of 81
There seems to be a general opinion
that all bills of a reform nature will not
De grasped after by the present Legis-
ia:ure, and it is thought that all such
Dllls OF the stripe mentioned above will
receive no encouragement.
Everything, even Constitutional Re
form, is forgotten in the excitement
caused by the announcement i'm to-day's
papers that Senator DOrman, of Sussex,
was ineligible to his seat in the Legis-
Iature, on account being postmaster at
Drawhridge, Sussex county. OfcOursc
the Family want him bounced, but are,
afraid to attempt it on account of Nc
WhOrter, one of their followers in the
Senate, being ineligible also. McWhor-
ter when last in business run a kind of
second class agricultural store in
Wilmington, and was embarrassed TO
to such an extent that his creditors
took everything from him when he
came down to Dover. The old law is
that a man cannot be member of the
Legislature unless he has $500 or is the
owner of 200 acres of land, and as Me-
Whorter is worth neither one he is in
eligible, but to keep from losing him
the Family will back him with the
money necessary, which his creditors
will attach Immediately. The outcome
of the whole thing will be that they are
allowed to keep their seats, but it is a
lesson to the Family, and will impress
upon them that it is all the difference
in the world whose OK is gOred.
Mr.. NOrney's fish bill was the biggest
thing on the Legislature board last
week, or rather Mr. Norney's speech
on the bill was the biggest thing and
the bill make il absolute that n man
must have full years residence before
he can fish or dredge for livelihood in
the waters belonging to this State. Mr.
Norney's speech was said to have been
the most scientific speech ever made in
the hall Of the House. Mr.. Norney has
done more for the fish interests Of the
State than any OthOr man, and he IS not
only theoretical, but practical He had
another bill asking that O strip of the
bay, 300 yards wide, from Mabon,s
ditch to South Mnrderkill creek be
laid OIL in 200 feet sections, these To he
rented out to small oyster planters
Then the bay from South Murderkill
TO MispilliOn creek to be kept and pre-
served as fishing ground. Mr. Nor
ney's idea is considered excellent and
people can rest assured he knows what
he is doing, as he keeps posted He
corresponds with eminent German
savants who help him wonderfully in
MS researches and inquiries.
The Wilmington Coal Gas Companv
mad lively time getting their charter
Treenacted legally. IL was brought nm
Tor reconsideration, and under the inn
preston that a twO-thirds vote was
necessary to reconsider this was after.
wards discovered to be n mistake as
the Constitution makes reincorDoration
possible by bare majority, so the bin
aad 70 have another reading. But II
hnaily went through as originally
passed. many
Mr. Olulhgan gave notice to-day Of an
amendment to the charter of the Duck
Greek Improvement Company. What
the Intentions Of the bill are cannot he
sald, as he hasn't presented il.
Mludletown is to follow Smvrna,s